Cleveland Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams acts as a father figure to some of his players, and even considers himself a life coach
On Tuesday, Cleveland Browns’ interim head coach Gregg Williams told reporters that he’s a life coach first, a football coach second.
Williams believes the players have responded very well to that, and so far, his winning 3-2 record concurs.
In a pre-Week 15 presser that had its philosophical moments, Williams dropped some wisdom that reveals how he’s been able to turn a group of losing individuals into a team of winners.
The normally screaming Browns leader who’s often one lozenge short of a full-throat yell had this to say about life:
"“We all should be able to improve not only as a player, but as a coach, as a reporter, in day-to-day experiences in life. It always helps that way if you’re trying to grow as a person.” —Williams via ClevelandBrowns.com"
Yeah, Williams just took the time to tell the media and all of us that the goal in life is to keep getting better.
Go on, Sensei.
Williams says he’s been trying to do that in every aspect of every function he’s been involved in.
But particularly with coaching.
"“I believe I’ve been a mentor to an awful lot of people.”"
A claim he then backs up by admitting that on Father’s Day every year, he gets between 500-600 phone calls and texts from the men he’s coached and led on and off the field.
Who’s ur daddy?
Williams has coached over 2,000 NFL players and every Father’s Day he says his phone just blows up.
What has he taught these young men?
- Belief in the responsibility factor;
- How to focus on what’s important;
- A routine of accountability every day;
- To say what you mean and mean what you say;
- That everybody’s accountable – players, coaches, trainers, everybody.
Williams recounted how long ago when he told the committee who turned him down to be head high school coach that he was going to leave town to coach a high school, then a college and then in the NFL, they laughed at him.
Twenty-six years later, Williams said he made everyone who was on that committee come back to town to take a picture with him and the Super Bowl XLIV trophy he earned as the defensive coordinator of the 2010 New Orleans Saints.
Who’s ur daddy?
Since Williams has taken over, the Browns have been more disciplined, more confident, more effective.
His philosophy is simple.
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"“Why should we put a cap on anybody’s dreams? And why can’t you do things if you put your mind to it?”"
Important questions, especially when asked of NFL players, whose various backgrounds have forced many of them to overcome incredible obstacles just to play football in the NFL, according to Williams.
He understands that to play football at this high a level, it’s about more than just physical ability.
"“There’s an awful lot of other discipline and concentration and focus issues that they have to be able to do to get an opportunity to be…and play at this level.”"
And given that it’s December and the Browns have yet to be eliminated from the playoffs, Williams message appears to be sinking in.
Who’s ur daddy?
Father’s Day isn’t until June 16th, but this Week 15 Sunday in Denver against the Broncos there are 53 Browns players who’ll be quick to answer, “Coach Williams is.”